Magazine and feed means for stapling machines



June 30, 1953 1 H. sEMLER 2,643,376

MAGAZINE AND FEED MEANS FOR STAPLING MACHINES Filed Feb. 28, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l L. H. SEMLER MAGAZINE AND FEED MEANS FOR STAPLING MACHINES Filed Feb. 28. 1950 June 30, 1953,

2 SheetsfSheet 2 I l wfm@ Patented June 30, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAGAZINE AND FEED MEANS FOR STAPLING MACHINES 6 Claims.

This invention relates to a stapler. The invention is particularly useful in connection with a small, compact stapler.

An object of the invention is to provide apparatus eiective for stapling or tacking uses, and in which the parts are united in a unique manner. A further object is to provide a structure for stapling or tacking operations in which the base portion is releasably secured to the magazine portion and in which improved means are provided for feeding staples and for supporting the feed mechanism releasably within the magazine. A still further object is `to provide a stapler structure in which guide means are employed for directing they introduced block of staples toward the track and in which improved pusher means are provided for advancing the Staplers toward the driving or ejecting mechanism. A still further object is to provide a pusher plate structure adapted to support 'a pusher rod and equipped with means for releasably anchoring the plate within the magazine and base structure. Yet another pbject is to provide an improved casing design in which the casing members, forming the magazine, are interlocked in a unique manner and are effectively closed at the rear by a frictionally-locked closure plate. Still another object is to provide a stapler in which the parts may be formed with a minimum of manufacturing operations and labor and which may be simply and efficiently assembled. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated, in a single embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in Which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a structure embodying our invention; Fig. 2, a rear view in elevation, a portion of the structure at the rear being shown in section, the section being taken as indicated at line 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a. perspective view of the pusher structure and pusher end plate; Fig. 4, a perspective view ol the base structure, the pivot pin being shown removed from the pivot openings therein; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the guide member casing; Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the driver; Fig. '7 is a. front elevational view of the stapler structure; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the stapler; Fig. 9 is another perspective view taken from a different angle showing the same stapler; Fig. 10, a perspective view of the magazine structure broken away in part to show the cooperation between the guide member and the U-shaped casing; and Fig. 11, a, front sectional view taken 2 in elevation on line l l-l l of Fig. 1 showing how the inwardly turned lower ends of the guide member hold the staples on the staple track.

In the illustration given, I!) designates a base plate equipped with an anvil H. The base plate ii) is equipped with upwardly-extending side walls l2. Each of the side walls is provided with a rearwardly-extending portion I3 having pivot openings ifi therein. A pivot pin I5 is adapted to be received within the openings M.

A flat spring member il is provided centrally with openings receiving the projections I3 formed integrally with the base i5, as shown more clearly in Fig. l. The forward end l5 of the flat spring li' extends upwardly to support the magazine, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1.

The magazine 2| engaged by the forward end i5 of the spring Il' is also pivotally supported upon the pivot pin I5. The magazine, in the illustration given, is formed by an outer U-shaped casing member 22 open at its top and having its bottom portion or wal] struck upwardly to provide a central U-shaped track 23 integral with the U-shaped member as shown more clearly in Fig. 11. The U-shaped member is closed at its forward end by the wall 2Q which is formed by the inwardly turned integral anges 24a and 24h of U-shaped member 22 as shown more clearly in Fig. 8. At its rear the U-shaped member provides an opening 25. The opening 25 is closed by a pusher end plate 25 as will be later described. The U-shaped member thus may be integral and provides in itself the side walls and front wall of the magazine as well as the stapler track. The downwardly-extending legs of track 23 are spaced from the side walls of casing member 22 to permit staples to ride on track 23.

' Cooperating with the U-shaped member 22 in forming a closed magazine is a guide member casing 2i having a top wall 25 closing the top of the U-shaped member 22. The guide member 2T is equipped with side walls 52 and 53 which at the rear portion of their lower edges form downwardly and inwardly inclined shoulders 29 as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 5. The lower portions of the side walls 52 and 53 forward of the shoulder 29 are turned inwardly toward each other as is seen at the lower portion 54 of the side wall 52. The forward end of the side wall 52 is formed to provide projections 55 and 5G spaced apart vertically and providing between them a forward edge 58 which serves as a guide for the driver to be hereafter described. The projection 55 is equipped with a forwardly extending pin 5l adapted to interlock 3 with the flange 24b on the forward wall 24 of the U-shaped casing 22 forming the magazine.

The side wall 53 is equipped with similar projections, forward edge and extending pin. Secured to the top wall 28 is a lift spring 3G which serves to raise the driver or ejector mechanism which will now be described.

The ejector or driver mechanism comprises a cap structure 3| receiving on its under side the angular head portion 32 of the ejector or driver support 33. The rear edge of the head portion 32 engages the cap so as to provide a firm mounting of the drivers support. The cap 3| has its forward and side edges extending over and overhanging the magazine so as to provide an attractive appearance and at the same time permit Y the structure to be compact. The driver or ejector 34 is secured to the support 33 by any suitable means, such as a single rivet 69 and is equipped with a lower driver portion 35 adapted to pass through a recess 36 between the front wall 24 and the track member 23 of the casing 22.

As seen particularly in Fig. 6, the support 33 and ejector 34 are recessed at their sides as seen at 6| and 62 to provide a guiding edge of the combined thickness of the support and the ejector for engaging the projection 55 of the side wall 52 and the corresponding projection on the side wall 53 of the guide member casing 21. The shoulders 63 and 64 formed at the lower end of the recesses and the shoulders 35 and 9S at the upper ends of the recesses limit the upper and downward movement of the driver 34.

In the illustration given, the ejector or driver 34 is apertured at 31 to receive a fastening lug 38 integral with the support 33. The walls 24 and 28 are spaced apart at the upper ends to provide a guide for receiving the support 33 and ejector 34 as shown more clearly in Fig. 10. The casing member 22 has its lower walls apertured below the track 23 and in alignment with the pin openings |4 of the base member |0 so as to receive the pivot pin l5. The pivot pin l5 thus pivotally supports the magazine 2| upon the base I0. The bottom walls 61 and 68 of the U-shaped member 22 are cut away at the forward ends as seen at 61a and 68a so that staples passing downwardly from the magazine do not become caught or jammed.

Staples 39 may be introduced through the rear open end 25 of the magazine onto the track 23, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1 Ordinarily, the staples are in the form of U-shaped blocks, in which the individual staples are secured together by adhesive, and the staples are fed forward in block form onto the track 23. In this operation, the guide shoulders 29 of the magazine direct the staples downwardly and onto the track 23. Thus, with the stapler held in one hand with its open rear end 25 held upwardly, a block of staples can be dropped into open end 25 and will automatically be cammed into position on track 23 by shoulders 29. It is preferredto charge a single block of staples of the length shown in Fig. 1, so that the staples will extend rearwardly just to the point in track 23 at which shoulders 29 will direct the lower ends of the pusher 4| onto track 23 behind the staples rather than on top of the staples.

After the staples 39 are in position, a pusher is introduced for feeding the staples forward. The guide shoulders 23 of the magazine direct the pusher into position on the staple track, when a single block of staples has been charged as explained above. If a greater quantity of staples has been charged, the pusher can be positioned by eye. The pusher mechanism comprises an end plate 26 which serves as a closure for the opening 25 of the magazine, a guide rod 40 and a pusher 4| slideably mounted on the rod 40. The rod 40 is fixed within the plate 26, and is equipped at its forward end with a stop 42. A coil spring 43 is supported upon the rod 40, as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 3. l

The pusher 4l is equipped with a pair of upwardly-extending ianges 44 apertured to receive the rectangular guide rod 40. The pusher is equipped at its forward end with an upwardlyturned lip 45 extending above the staples 39. Further, the depending side walls 46 of the pusher are each provided with at least one outwardlyextending rib 41. The rib 41 provides a wide surface for engaging the staples.

The pusher end plate 2B is provided at its top with a downwardly-turned flange 48, which facilitates the insertion and removal of the end plate. The lower portion of the end plate extends through an opening 49 in the track 23. The lower portion of the plate 26 is provided with a pair of spaced legs 50, and between them is a tongue 5|. The legs 50 frictionally engage the pin |5, and the plate 26 is firmly locked against the track wall 23 andthe lower end of the wall 28.

As seen particularly in Fig. 7, the inwardly turned flanges 24a and 24h forming the forward wall of the U -shaped casing 22 forming the magazine are provided with apertures 1| and 12 for receiving respectively pin 51 projecting from the side wall 52 of the guide member casing 21 and the corresponding projecting pin on the side wall 53. When assembled, the guide member casing 21 ts within the U-shaped member 22 with the projecting pins received within the aperture 1| and 12 and rivets 13 and 14 extending through the openings 69 and 19 to secure the unit in assembled position.

The guide member casing 21 serves the functions of providing a cover for the magazine, guiding through its forward edges the movement of the driver 34 and controlling and limiting the movement of the driver 34. The projection limits the both upward and downward movement of the driver. The inclined shoulder 29 guides both the staples and pusher into position on the staple track 23, as previously explained. The inwardly turned lower portions 54 are adapted at their lower edges to engage the staples to hold them in position on the track 23.

The driver 34 is guided by its engagement with the guide member casing 21 and also by the U- shaped member 22.

Operation In the operation of the device, the end plate 23 is removed by lifting the plate upwardly and slightly forwardly, and the pusher rod 40 and pusher 4| are removed. A block of staples 39 is introduced through the open rear end of the magazine, the block being inclined downwardly by the shoulders 29 so as to bring the staples upon the track 23. The pusher structure is then introduced so that the pusher 4| engages the rear edges of the staple block 33, as shown more clearly in Fig. l, the pusher also being inclined downwardly by the shoulders 29. The plate 26 is pressed downwardly into engagement with the pin |5, and the sturdy frictional contact thus provided supports the guide rod 4G in the longitudinal position shown in Fig. 1.

The cap 3| is pressed downwardly to bring the striker edge 35 into engagement with the staple therebelow, and the staple is passed downwardly onto the anvil I l for the clinching of the staple. The pusher 4l then feeds the next staple forward as soon as the striker 35 has been raised to the clearing position illustrated 'in Fig. 1.

If it is desired to use the apparatus without the anvil and for the purpose of tacking, the base l0 is swung rearwardly into a position longitudinally aligned with the rear portion yof the magazine 2| and the cap 3| is reciprocated to feed staples downwardly in a tacking operation.

While, in the foregoing specification, I have set forth a single structure in great detail for the purpose of illustrating an embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that such details may be varied widely by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a stapler, a magazine comprising a U- shaped member and a guide member, said U- shaped member having its bottom portion struck upwardly to provide an elevated track spaced from the side walls, a pusher on said track, said guide member having a top wall closing the top of said U-shaped member and having an inclined bottom wall extending inwardly and downwardly to direct said staples and said pusher toward said track, and spring means for urging said pusher forwardly.

2. In a stapler, a magazine comprising a U- shaped member and a guide member, said U- shaped member having its bottom portion struck upwardly to provide an elevated track spaced from the side walls, said guide member having a top wall closing the top of said U-shaped member and having an inclined bottom wall extending inwardly and downwardly to direct said staples toward said track, a pusher on said track, spring means for urging said pusher forwardly, and a closure plate equipped with a rod slideably supporting said pusher and closing the rear end of said magazine.

3. In a stapler having a magazine and a, driver, said magazine comprising a U-shaped member and a guide member, said U-shaped member providing an elevated track spaced from the side walls for receiving staples, a pusher on said track, said guide member having a top wall closing the top of said U-shaped member and having an inclined bottom wall extending inwardly and downwardly to direct said staples and said pusher toward said track, and spring means for urging said pusher forwardly, the forward portion of said guide member being in guiding engagement with said driver.

4. In apparatus of the character set forth having a magazine and a driver said magazine comprising a U-shaped member and a guide member, said U-shaped member providing an elevated track spaced from the side walls for receiving staples, a pusher on said track, said guide member having a top wall closing the top of said U- shaped member and having an inclined bottom wall extending inwardly and downwardly to direct said staples and said pusher toward said track, Y

spring means for urging said pusher forwardly, the forward edge of said guide member being in guiding engagement with said driver, and means carried by the forward portion of said guide member for limiting the vertical movement of said driver.

5. A stapler magazine structure, comprising a U-shaped casing providing side walls and a bottom wall, said U-shaped casing having its bottom wall struck upwardly to provide a U-shaped track having an elevated top between downwardly extending legs, said track legs being spaced from said side walls to permit staples to ride on said track, and a guide member having a top wall closing the top of said U-shaped casing and having side walls extending into said casing and rigidly connected to the walls of said casing, said guide member side walls having their lower ends arranged to prevent staples from moving upwardly off of said track.

6. A stapler magazine structure, comprising a U-shaped casing providing side walls and a bottom wall, said U-shaped casing having its bottom wall struck upwardly to provide a U-shaped track having an elevated top between downwardly-extending legs, said track legs being spaced from said side walls to permit staples to ride on said track, and a guide member having a top wall closing the top of said U-shaped casing and having side walls extending downwardly into said casing, said guide member side walls having their lower forward ends turned inwardly just above said track to assist in holding staples on said track, said guide member side walls further having their rear portions inclined inwardly and downwardly to guide staples onto said inwardly turned lower end portion.

LOREN I-I. SEMLER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,935,280 Vogel Nov. 14, 1933 2,131,473 Drypolcher Sept. 27, 1939 2,161,449 Blumenbaum June 6, 1939 2,269,744 Tager Jan. 13, 1942 2,311,412 Pankonin Feb. 16, 1943 2,340,717 Vogel Feb. 1, 1944 2,445,180 Maynard July 13, 1948 

